Jo Ann Brock

Jo Ann Echols Brock, 1938-2025  

Jo Ann Echols Brock, 87, of Lula, Georgia, passed away peacefully on Oct. 1, 2025, and is now reunited with Marvin Nathan Brock, her husband of 66 years, who died in 2022. 

Jo Ann was born in Hall County on March 20, 1938, to George Duncan Echols and Vernie Smith Echols. She spent her early years on the family farm and peach orchard, before graduating from Lula High School at age 17. She worked briefly in Gainesville before marrying Marvin on July 21, 1956, and becoming a wife and homemaker. They had four children and provided a loving and stable Christian home for them—a life that may have seemed ordinary to their kids when they were growing up, but was extraordinary on reflection. 

Jo Ann was a talented, capable and beautiful woman, with a big smile and warm heart. She found fulfillment in raising her kids, running the farm and serving her community and church. She was a talented seamstress and gardener, and her baking was legendary—particularly her fresh coconut cake. She loved serving others with a good meal. She practiced sacrificial love as a caregiver for many—her parents, other relatives, her grandchildren and for Marvin in his later years. She will be missed but her legacy continues in the lives she touched.

In addition to her husband, Jo Ann was preceded in death by her parents and brother Jimmy Echols and is survived by her sister Janice Echols Dale (Bob). Other survivors from the immediate family include her children and spouses, including Pam and Leon Barrett, Lynn and Tim Klein, Renee and Chris England, and Patrick and Marcia Brock. Jo Ann is also survived by nine grandchildren, their spouses (where noted) and seven great grandchildren: Matthew Barrett, wife Tara, daughters Amelia and Audrey; Emma Klein Lee, husband Mitch, daughter Liza and son Mitchell; Claire Barrett Britt and husband Josh, daughter Evelyn and son John; Hayley Klein and fiancé William Broder; Will England, wife Martha Easton and daughter Nelle; Erin England; Timothy Klein, Jr. and wife Estela Rivas; Abigail Brock McDaniel and husband Josh; and Alex Brock. 

Jo Ann was a member of Air Line Baptist Church in Gainesville, although her health in recent years meant she was unable to attend regularly. 

Visitation and a memorial service will be held for Jo Ann on Saturday, Oct. 4, at Little & Davenport Funeral Home, 355 Dawsonville Highway, Gainesville. Visitation is from 12 to 2 p.m., with the service at 2 p.m. in the chapel. Immediately following, a graveside service will be held on Barrett Road, across from Enon Baptist Church at 7321 Old Cornelia Highway, Alto, Georgia. Rev. Delma Simmons will officiate, and Rev. Mark Green will provide the music. 

In lieu of flowers, memorial gifts may be sent to Fellowship of Christian Athletes at Fellowship of Christian Athletes, P.O. Box 656, Oakwood, Georgia 30566 or Air Line Baptist Church, 3368 White Sulphur Road, Gainesville, GA .

Those wishing to send online condolences to the family may do so at littledavenport.com

Little & Davenport Funeral Home and Crematory, 355 Dawsonville Highway, SW, Gainesville, Georgia 30501 is in charge of arrangements.

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